We might not always sure when we are seeing history unfolding before our very eyes. Consider this: When the legendary Red Rum set off in 1974 to claim his second Grand National crown, he didn’t even start the race as favourite or second favourite. Obviously now, we look back and think of the three-time winner as a once-in-a-lifetime horse, but back then the money was going on the SP favourite Scout and the brilliant L’Escargot.

That day in 1974, Red Rum had a starting price of 11/1, which is around three times the current price for the horse aiming to emulate him at the 2019 Grand National – Tiger Roll. The 2018 winner has been in blistering form over the last few months, taking both the Boyne Hurdle (a surprise to many) and the Glenfarclas Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. His current best odds are 4/1 with Ladbrokes and Betfair, but some bookies are as low as 7/2. A price so short is practically unheard of in the lead up to a Grand National.

Four-time Cheltenham winner exudes class

However, Tiger Roll is a special horse. He has won four times now at the Cheltenham Festival, putting him up there with great names like Arkle, Istabraq and the modern colossus Altior. Like Red Rum, Tiger Roll might just be a once in a generation horse, something trainer Gordon Elliott seems acutely aware of. If you look back at his latest Cheltenham win, you will see a horse in plete mand of the field, conserving energy for most part of the race and slamming on the accelerator at the opportune moment. With around half a mile to go, there was no doubt who the winner would be, something quite rare in these long-distance horse racing events.

Of course, if winning multiple Grand Nationals was easy, we would be able to pare Tiger Roll to many more horses than just Red Rum. But, it’s a difficult, difficult task and Tiger Roll’s victory is by no means assured. There are lots of decent chances in the race, even if you are thinking about each-way value. Don’t forget, many bookies will pay several extra places in the race, so there is value out there outside of Tiger Roll.

Vintage Clouds looks a smart each-way bet

Indeed, you can get free bets for Grand National runners from a range of bookmakers right now, and there are lots of interesting candidates to use them on. Lake View Lad and Vintage Clouds, for example, are available at 20/1 and 16/1 from Coral. Both horses were placed in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham and look like very good shots to nab a place at Aintree – at the very least.

There is also plenty of money being taken for the second-favourite – Anibale Fly, who finished second to Al Boum Photo in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. 12/1 is the best price on offer from William Hill and a couple of other bookies. In terms of bigger prices, you can get 33/1 for Walk In the Mill, who won the Becher’s Chase at Aintree in the Autumn. One for Arthur, who won the National in 2017, is also available at 33/1 with most outlets.

This does, however, seem like Tiger Roll’s race to lose. It’s a question of whether you feel the short-price is worth the risk. On current form, you would have to say it certainly is worth it – a horse in the form of his life and poised to make history.

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On reflection, the Six Nations is arguably one of the most passionate sporting events played across the globe.

Every February, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy all contest for the Six Nations crown, but perhaps the most poignant feature of the tournament is the delivery of the national anthems beforehand.

Similar to other sports but certainly not as fanatical as ruby union, the national anthems provide a jubilant atmosphere as it serves to lift the fans and players before the first whistle.

Here, we take a look through each nation’s anthem ahead of the Six Nations opener on February 1st, with Betfair providing over ten markets to punt on.

England – God Save the Queen

Although the exact origin still remains unknown, poser John Bull is thought to have written ‘God Save the Queen’ in 1619. It’s also the national anthem of New Zealand and Bermuda but will always be renowned as the United Kingdom’s.

God save our gracious Queen!

Long live our noble Queen!

God save the Queen!

Send her victorious

Happy and glorious

Long to reign over us

God save the Queen!

Ireland

The current Six Nations holders can not only boast a world class squad, they can provide two anthems as well. The traditional version is called A Soldier’s Song and dates back to 1910, although it wasn’t until 1926 it became the national anthem.

Soldiers are we,

whose lives are pledged to Ireland,

Some have e

from a land beyond the wave,

Sworn to be free,

no more our ancient sireland,

Shall shelter the despot or the slave.

Tonight we man the gap of danger,

In Erin’s cause, e woe or weal,

’Mid cannon’s roar and rifles’ peal,

We’ll chant a soldier’s song

The second anthem is in Gaelic, and is called ‘Ireland’s Call’ which was written with the ideology of recognising a fractured Ireland. It was first used for the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

e the day and e the hour,

e the power and the glory!

We have e to answer our country’s call,

From the four proud provinces of Ireland

Ireland, Ireland,

Together standing tall!

Shoulder to shoulder,

We’ll answer Ireland’s call!

Scotland – Flower of Scotland

Although this isn’t the official national anthem, Flower of Scotland has been used at a variety of sporting events including rugby union. Roy Williamson from the group the Corries penned the lyrics, in reference to the Scots victory over Edward II at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

O Flower of Scotland,

When will we see

Your like again,

That fought and died for,

Your wee bit hill and glen,

And stood against him,

Proud Edward’s army,

And sent him homeward,

To think again.

Those days are past now,

And in the past

they must remain,

But we can still rise now,

And be the nation again,

That stood against him,

Proud Edward’s army,

And sent him homeward,

To think again.

Wales – Land of my Fathers

The Welsh are arguably the most passionate fans when it es to rugby, and their national anthem will be sure to give you goose bumps when sung in full voice. It originates from Evan James and the tune is posed by his son James James. It was first sung at a rugby match in 1905, some 114 years ago.

The old land of my fathers is dear to me,

Land of bards and singers, famous men of renown;

Her brave warriors, very splendid patriots,

For freedom shed their blood.

Nation [or country], Nation, I am faithful to my Nation.

While the sea [is] a wall to the pure, most loved land,

O may the old language endure.

Italy – Brothers of Italy

Written in 1847 by student Goffredo Mameli, Brothers of Italy has been the national anthem since 1946 when Italy became a republic after World War Two. The Six Nations whipping boys did have various other anthems throughout the 18th century but Brothers of Italy has always remained popular.

Brothers of Italy,

Italy has woken,

Bound Scipio’s helmet

Upon her head.

Where is Victory?

Let her bow down,

For God created her

Slave of Rome.

CHORUS

Let us join in a cohort,

We are ready to die.

We are ready to die,

Italy has called.

Let us join in a cohort,

We are ready to die.

We are ready to die,

Italy has called! Yes!

France – La Marseillaise

Penned in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle, La Marseillaise was quickly adopted by French revolutionists and became the national anthem three years later. The song acquired its nickname quite simply as protesters would travel from Marseille to Paris to support the revolution.

Arise, children of the Fatherland,

The day of glory has arrived!

Against us tyranny’s

Bloody banner is raised, (repeat)

Do you hear, in the countryside,

The roar of those ferocious soldiers?

They’re ing right into your arms

To cut the throats of your sons, your women!

To arms, citizens,

Form your battalions,

Let’s march, let’s march!

Lest an impure blood

Soak our fields!

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Form is everything in horse racing, or so we are told. It is, of course, the first thing any punter looks at when picking a runner. However, there are many instances when a major festival is the arena for rediscovering that form – a shot at redemption. The winter national hunt schedule threw up some interesting winners who will surely march on to Cheltenham as big favourites. However, there were a few head-scratching moments from big names, some of whom certainly have the class to bounce back at the Festival (12th – 15th March). Here are five to keep in mind:

Might Bite:

To say Nicky Henderson’s 9-year-old had a poor winter is an understatement. Last place in the Betfair Chase was put down to early season rust, but a 7th place when trying to retain the King George VI Chase really rattled the betting markets. Might Bite is now 16/1 for the Gold Cup with Betfair – four times his SP when he finished runner up last year. The question is whether he had a bad couple of races or if there is a permanent decline? 16/1 is enough to take a chance on the former for what is undoubtedly a Gold Cup-winning worthy horse.

Faugheen:

It’s really difficult to know what to think about Faugheen over the last couple of years. He disappoints, then does just enough for punters to think he could get back to the top of his game again. William Hill’s favourite for the Stayers’ Hurdle is Penhill at 7/1 (some bookies have opted for Apple’s Jade). But it’s still worth remembering that Faugheen, currently available at 12/1, whipped Penhill in the Irish Stayers’ Hurdle just last April. It’s a conundrum, but right now you can catch special Cheltenham betting offers, like free bets, and Faugheen might just be the perfect type to use one on.

Annamix:

If you checked the Cheltenham ante post betting just a month ago, Annamix was the favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. In a way, it was a bit strange, because the five-year-old had never run a petitive race in the UK or Ireland (a sole run in France yielded a second-place finish). However, Willie Mullins and owners the Ricci Family know a superstar when they see one, so not many eyebrows were raised. A second-place finish in Limerick came on his debut, with Annamix looking a little clumsy and unsure. 20/1 is offered from Paddy Power right now. You are going to the reputation of the trainer and owners, but they have delivered time and time again in the past.?

Kalashnikov:

Kalashnikov isn’t the perfect horse, but the five-year-old is ultra-consistent (six wins and three seconds from nine starts) in his short career. Switching to chasing in this winter hasn’t been bad, with two wins from three, yet there was disappointment when finishing runner up to Dynamite Dollars in the Wayward Lad Novices Chase last month. Kalashnikov is available at 7/1 for the Arkle with Betfair, whereas Dynamite Dollars and Lalor are at 15/2 and 5/1 respectively. It could be a cracking race, one where Kalashnikov could reassert his brilliance.

Footpad had a fairly terrible winter, falling in one race and failing to beat Simply Ned in another. However, only Altior had a higher rating as a chaser from Timeform over the last year. The problem, of course, is that he might face the impeccable Altior in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Altior is given 1/2 odds, with Footpad at 9/1 (Betfair) and it’s hard to see anyone get close to Henderson’s super horse. However, if Footpad goes in any other race – Betway offers 8/1 for the Ryanair Chase – Footpad is worth a punt.

That opponent is Khabib Nurmagomedov, a Russian fighter who just happens to hold the longest undefeated streak in MMA history, with 26 straight victories. The pair will clash at UFC 229 for the UFC Lightweight Championship, scheduled for the 6th October at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. The fight didn’t need the sideshow of McGregor’s arrest, it was going to be a huge draw regardless.

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The Toronto Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers should have a date for second round of the NBA playoffs, but I’m not quite sure who’s going to ask who out. The Raptors, who had the Eastern Conference’s best record by four games and claimed home court advantage thought the conference finals, have struggled with the eighth seeded Washington Wizards. Then there’s the underachieving Cleveland Cavaliers who with the highest payroll in the NBA, have looked like a middle of the pack squad against their Central Division foes, the Indiana Pacers.Read the rest of this entry »

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Anthony Joshua is the most talked about fighter in heavyweight boxing right now; but that does not mean he is the only contender to potentially be the next undisputed champion of the world. Joshua may be the favourite to be the first man to acplish the feat since Lennox Lewis. But there are two others who are currently in the frame; one is WBC champion Deontay Wilder, the other is Joseph Parker who Joshua fights on 31 March 2018.
The victor from this bout will unify the IBF, WBA and WBO titles. Joshua is odds on with the bookmakers to achieve this. But, it’s not a good idea to rule out the young Kiwi boxer.Read the rest of this entry »

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On Sunday night, seventh ranked heavyweight Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis scored his seventh win in his last eight fights over ninth ranked Marcin Tybura at UFC Fight Night 126 in Austin, TX.? In typical Lewis fashion, his monstrous power was the difference maker.? Lewis, who spent most of the fight on his back or stomach, managed to fend off the ground and pound and submissions of the quicker Tybura.? Midway through the third round, Tybura attempted a single-leg takedown that Lewis was able to thwart.? With a moment of separation, Lewis looked for a takedown of his own and then hit Tybura with a pair of hooks that wobbled him, and then a third one finished him.? After a loss in his last fight to Mark Hunt, Lewis is now set to face a top 5 opponent again in his next fight.? But who?Read the rest of this entry »

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It has been something of a slow build, perhaps going all the way back to Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko back in 2015, but heavyweight boxing seems to be at the very top of the sport once again. A series of fortuitous events, such as Fury vacating the titles, coupled with bona fide stars emerging at the top of the division has created a perfect storm for heavyweight boxing in 2018.

Two big title fights will take place in March. First up, Deontay Wilder (c) will face Luis Ortiz for the WBC heavyweight title in New York on the 3rd March. Wilder is favourite with bookmakers to retain, currently available at odds of 2/5. Ortiz can be widely backed at a price of 2/1.

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3 years ago my brothers and I pooled our money together to buy my father a special gift for his 60th birthday. ?We got him a 60″ TV and what we thought was a nice TV stand to put it on. ?All was well until the Alphaline Glass and Metal TV Stand purchased at Sears crumbled into a million pieces, destroying the TV in the process. Read the rest of this entry »

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Thanks to Gillette, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Tight End OJ Howard and his very proud father Kareem.? Gillette had Kareem mic’d up for his son’s rookie debut, and then let OJ watch the game through his father’s eyes in the above video. Read the rest of this entry »